Window assembly for school bus

ABSTRACT

A window module for a school bus includes a frame, a fixed window panel affixed to a portion of the frame, a perimeter panel secured to another portion of the frame and defining an opening at the other portion of the frame, and a movable window panel. The movable window panel is slidably positioned at the frame such that opposite perimeter edges of the movable window panel are slidably engaged with opposite channel members of the frame. The movable window panel is movable along the channel members and interiorly of the fixed window panel when opened and interiorly of and generally at the perimeter panel when at least partially closed. The exterior surfaces of the fixed window panel and of the perimeter panel form a generally flush surface at an exterior of the school bus when the window assembly is installed at the school bus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication, Ser. No. 60/729,434, filed Oct. 21, 2005, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to windows for vehicles and, moreparticularly, to window assemblies including window panels and framesfor school buses or transit vehicles or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

School buses typically have a row of multiple window assemblies alongthe sides of the buses. Such window assemblies typically include a framethat includes four aluminum side frame portions that are screwed orfastened together at the corners of the frame. The window panels,typically one fixed window panel and one movable window panel, areretained within channels along the frame portions while the frameportions are fastened together to form the window assembly. Seals orbeads may also be provided around the perimeter edges of the windowpanels to reduce water intrusion into the bus. The assembly of suchwindow assemblies requires multiple components and is labor intensive.Also, in order to install the window assemblies to the school bus, thewindow assemblies are attached to an interior portion of the school busfrom inside the school bus. Because of the multiple components and theassembly and installation processes, often leakage occurs at the windowassemblies.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a window assembly for a schoolbus that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a window assembly for a vehicle, such asa transit vehicle or school bus, that includes a frame portion and atleast one window panel at least partially encapsulated or surrounded bythe frame portion. The frame portion is attached to a frame or sheetmetal portion of a school bus, and frame portions of multiple windowassemblies may be attached adjacent to one another along the sides ofthe school bus. The window panel or panels may include a fixed windowpanel and a movable or slidable window panel that slides or moves toopen and close an opening in the window assembly.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a window assembly ormodule for a school bus includes a frame, a fixed window panel and amovable window panel. The frame includes a pair of channel members formovably receiving the movable window panel. The movable panel isslidably positioned at the frame such that a first perimeter edge of themovable window panel is slidably engaged with one of the channel membersand a second perimeter edge of the movable window panel is slidablyengaged with the other channel member. The fixed window panel may bebonded or adhered or secured to a portion of the frame. A perimeterpanel frame or appliqué may be bonded or adhered or secured to anotherportion of the frame and defines an opening at the other portion of theframe. The movable window panel is movable along the channel members andbehind or interiorly of the fixed window panel when opened and generallyat the perimeter panel frame when closed or partially closed. The outersurfaces of the fixed window panel and of the perimeter panel frame forma generally flush surface at an exterior of the school bus when thewindow assembly is installed at the school bus.

A resilient seal is included along the channel members to reduce airand/or water leakage between the window panel and the frame. A slidingresilient seal may be bonded or adhered or secured to the interiorsurface of the fixed window panel and at a perimeter region of the fixedwindow panel that is at or near the opening defined by the perimeterpanel for slidably engaging the exterior surface of the movable windowpanel as the movable window panel is opened and closed.

The window assembly may be configured to be installed at the exteriorsheet metal of the school bus and from a location outside of the schoolbus. Multiple window assemblies may be installed along the side of theschool bus.

Optionally, the window panel may include two movable window panels thatare slidably movable along the frames, and that may be horizontallyslidable, such as for a driver's window of a school bus, or the windowpanel may include a single fixed window panel bonded or adhered to aperimeter frame, or the window assembly may comprise other types ofwindows and frame configurations or arrangements while staying withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method ofinstalling a window module at a vehicle includes providing a windowmodule comprising a frame, a fixed window panel having an interiorsurface and an exterior surface, a perimeter panel having an interiorsurface and an exterior surface, and a movable window panel having aninterior surface and an exterior surface. The fixed window panel isaffixed to a portion of the frame, and the perimeter panel is secured toanother portion of the frame and comprises perimeter portions thatcooperate to define an opening at the other portion of the frame. Themovable window panel is slidably positioned at the frame such that afirst perimeter edge of the movable window panel is slidably engagedwith a first channel member of the frame, and a second perimeter edge ofthe movable window panel is slidably engaged with a second channelmember of the frame. The movable window panel is movable along thechannel members and interiorly of the fixed window panel when opened andinteriorly of and generally at the perimeter panel when at leastpartially closed. The window module is attached to a sheet metal frameof the vehicle, such as a school bus, from outside of the vehicle, withthe window module engaging and attaching to an exterior surface of thesheet metal frame of the vehicle when attached from the outside of thevehicle. The exterior surfaces of the fixed window panel and of theperimeter panel form a generally flush exterior surface at an exteriorof the vehicle when the window assembly is attached at the exteriorsurface of the sheet metal frame of the vehicle.

Therefore, the present invention provides a window assembly for atransit vehicle or bus or school bus that may be readily installed atthe school bus and that may provide an enhanced, substantiallyflush-like appearance at the exterior of the school bus. Because theframe may be molded or extruded and sonic welded or otherwise joinedtogether, the window assembly may include fewer parts and fewerfasteners as compared to conventional school bus windows, which mayreduce the complexity and cost of the school bus window assembly, whileproviding improved performance and reduced leakage.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a school bus incorporating a pluralityof window assemblies in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the school bus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a window assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the window assembly of FIG. 3, shownassembled;

FIG. 5 is an interior perspective view of window assemblies of thepresent invention as installed at a school bus;

FIG. 6 is an exterior view of a window assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is an interior view of the window assembly of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8-12 are sectional views of the window assembly of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIGS. 13-15 are sectional views of a fixed sash window assembly of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views of window assemblies of thepresent invention that may pivot outward to open;

FIGS. 18-20 are sectional views of the window assemblies of FIGS. 16 and17;

FIG. 21 is an exterior view of a driver side window assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 22 is an interior view of the driver side window assembly of FIG.21;

FIGS. 23-26 are sectional views of the driver side window assemblies ofFIGS. 21 and 22;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another window assembly of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 28-30 are sectional views of the window assembly of FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is an exterior perspective view of another driver's windowassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is an interior perspective view of the driver side windowassembly of FIG. 31; and

FIGS. 33-35 are sectional views of the driver side window assembly ofFIGS. 31 and 32.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, a window assembly 10 may be mounted at an opening of a transitvehicle, such as a school bus 11 or the like (FIGS. 1 and 2). Windowassembly 10 comprises a modular window assembly that includes a fixedwindow pane or panel 12 fixedly attached to a perimeter frame 16, and amovable or slidable window pane or panel 14 that slides or moves alongperimeter frame 16, and that moves generally vertically relative to thefixed window panel 12 to open and close the window assembly, asdiscussed below. A perimeter panel or perimeter frame panel 18 ispreferably adhered or bonded or secured or otherwise attached to aportion of the perimeter frame 16 to provide a perimeter pane or panelportion at least partially around an opening for the movable windowpanel 14 that is generally flush with the fixed window panel 12, asdiscussed below. The perimeter panel 18 provides a panel around theperimeter of the opening for the movable window panel 14 with an openingat a central region of the perimeter panel so that the window is “open”when the movable window is moved toward the fixed window panel 12, asalso discussed below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the window assembly module is attached tothe sheet metal or body of the school bus via a strip or bead ofadhesive, such as a butyl sticky rope or the like, along the perimeterframe, and with studs for additional attachment spaced along theperimeter frame of the window assembly. The adhesive “rope” or strip maybe located along the mounting surface of the perimeter frame and may besandwiched between the metal frame or body of the school bus and theperimeter frame as the window assembly is pressed against the school busbody to install/attach the window assembly to the school bus.Optionally, the window assembly may be directly bonded to the body ofthe school bus by an adhesive, such as a urethane adhesive, includingone part or two part urethane adhesive, an epoxy adhesive, an acrylicadhesive, a silicone adhesive, a polyvinylbutyral adhesive, or the like.For example, the window assembly may be bonded to the school bus by abead of adhesive that is located between the exterior surface of theschool bus body panel or sheet metal and the interior surfaces of theperimeter frame so as to provide a substantially flush mounting of thewindow assembly at the school bus. As used herein, “flush mounting”, inreference to the position of the window assembly at the school bus body,means that at least the fixed window/perimeter panels appear to lie insubstantially the same plane as the exterior surface of the school busbody or, in the case of a curved school bus body, lie in the curvedplane of the school bus body and generally follows the contours of theschool bus body. The window assembly may include one or more locatingclips (not shown) positioned around and attached to or bonded to theperimeter of the window panels and of the window assembly to facilitateproper positioning of the window assembly at the opening in the side ofthe school bus.

When movable window panel 14 is moved to its closed position at theopening of the window assembly, movable window panel 14 is offsetinwardly from the plane of the fixed window panel 12 and the perimeterframe panel 18 to form a “sub-flush” mounting arrangement for movablewindow panel 14 with respect to fixed window panel 12 and perimeterframe panel 18. As used above, the term “inwardly” refers to therelative position, for example, of the movable window panel with respectto the fixed window and perimeter panel when the window assembly ismounted at the school bus. Similarly, references to “inner”, “outer”,“interior” and “exterior” are used as nomenclature relative to when thewindow assembly when mounted at the school bus.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of window assemblies or modules10 may be installed along the side of the school bus. The windowassemblies are closely spaced next to one another and provide asubstantially continuous, flush row of window panels along the sides ofthe school bus. The window assemblies are mounted to the generallyvertical rails or bows 11 a or bow caps 11 b of the school bus 11, andare positioned generally below the drip rail or header 11 c of theschool bus 11 and at or above the rub rail 11 d of the school bus 11.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, perimeter frame 16 includes a pair ofgenerally vertical channel members or side frame members 20 and agenerally horizontal upper channel or frame member 22. Although notshown in FIGS. 3 and 4, perimeter frame 16 may also include a lowergenerally horizontal perimeter frame member (such as frame member 24shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 and discussed below). The frame members may beformed of any suitable material, and may be molded or extruded to thedesired form (if each member is extruded, the ends of adjacent membersmay be joined together, such as via ultrasonic welding or bonding or thelike). For example, the perimeter frame may comprise a substantiallyrigid material, such as a substantially rigid polymeric or plasticmaterial, such as glass filled nylon, PVC, polyethylene terephthalate(PET), polypropylene, nylon, acrylonitrile-butadeine-styrene (ABS) orthermoplastic urethane (TPU) or the like. The perimeter frame may alsoor otherwise comprise a metallic material or may comprise a compositematerial, such as a filled polymeric or a metal member that isencapsulated in plastic, for example.

The frame members may slidably or movably support the movable windowpanel 14, and may provide an outer surface for adhering or bonding orattaching the fixed window panel 12 and the perimeter panel 18 to theperimeter frame 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the perimeter panel or panels 18(the perimeter panel may comprise a unitary construction, such as shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, or may comprise separate perimeter panel portions,such as an upper portion, a lower portion, and/or opposite sideportions, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention) may comprise one or more elongated strips or panels that forma generally rectangular shaped perimeter panel and that defines agenerally rectangular opening at its center region of the perimeterpanel or panels 18. The perimeter panel 18 is attachable (such as viabonding via an adhesive layer or the like) to the exterior surface orportion of the upper frame member 22 and the exterior or outer surfacesor portions of the upper portions of the side frame members 20 (such asat the side frame members above the fixed window panel). When attachedto the perimeter frame, the exterior surface/surfaces of the perimeterpanel or panels or appliqué may be generally flush with the exteriorsurface of the lower fixed window panel 12. Optionally, it is envisionedthat the perimeter panel or panels or exterior frame portion may bemolded as part of the perimeter frame. The perimeter panel or appliquémay comprise glass or may comprise a polymeric or plastic material, andmay be darkened or tinted or coated, such as a dark or blackpolycarbonate hard coated panel or the like.

The fixed window panel 12 is likewise a generally rectangular shapedpanel and is attachable to the exterior portion of the lower portions ofthe side frame members 20 and to the lower frame member 24. The fixedwindow panel 12 is generally adjacent to the perimeter panel 18 and, inthe illustrated embodiment, is below the perimeter panel 18 to provide alower, fixed window panel of the window assembly. The fixed window panelmay be bonded or adhered to the lower portion (or other suitable portiondepending on the particular application of the window assembly) of theperimeter frame via any suitable adhesive or bonding material. Forexample, an adhesive layer or bead may be located around the perimeterframe or at the mating perimeter surface of the fixed window panel andsandwiched between the fixed window panel and the perimeter frame toadhere or affix the fixed window panel to the perimeter frame of thewindow assembly. The fixed window panel, movable window panel andperimeter panel or panels may comprise any suitable material, such asglass or polycarbonate panels or substrates or the like, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. Optionally, the fixedwindow panel 12 and/or the perimeter panel 18 may have a darkened orblack frit layer 19 or the like around their perimeter regions tosubstantially conceal the perimeter frame and limit viewability of theperimeter frame through the window panels and from the outside of theschool bus.

A center seal or sliding seal or weather seal 26 (FIGS. 3 and 10) may bebonded or adhered (such as via an adhesive layer or bead or strip 27) orotherwise attached or secured to an interior surface of the fixed windowpanel 12 or an interior surface of a lower panel or section 18 c ofperimeter panel 18. The sliding seal 26 includes a sliding portion orsealing portion 26 a that slidably engages the exterior surface of themovable window panel 14 as the movable window panel moves between itsopen and closed positions. Sliding seal 26 may comprise a softelastomeric or rubber-like material, and may comprise any type of seal,such as a Y-type seal (as shown in FIG. 10), or other types of seals,without affecting the scope of the present invention. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 10, the sliding seal 26 is bonded along an interiorsurface of an upper perimeter region 12 a of fixed window panel 12 andmay include a lip 26 b that extends over the upper perimeter edge of thefixed window panel to limit or substantially preclude water intrusion orthe like between the fixed window panel and the sliding seal 26. Thecenter or sliding seal 26 may be affixed or attached to the fixed windowpanel via any attachment means, such as via bonding, taping ormechanical attachment, such as via a metallic or polymeric carrier, andmay include a portion of the seal (or via a carrier if applicable)hooking over the upper fixed window panel edge to assist in retainingthe seal at the upper perimeter region of the fixed window panel. Forexample, a center or sliding seal may be disposed along a carrier (notshown), such as a metallic or polymeric carrier or member, which isattached to the side frame members and/or to the fixed window panel atan upper portion of the fixed window panel, such as via adhesive or thelike, and/or such as a hooking portion of the carrier overlapping andwrapping at least partially over and around the upper perimeter edge ofthe fixed window panel. Optionally, the sliding seal or carrier may beadhered to or bonded to or otherwise attached to the interior surface ofthe lower perimeter portion 18 c of the perimeter panel, such as in asimilar manner as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, window assembly 10 may also include lockingdevices or height adjustment latches 28, which function to release andengage the side channel frame members 20 or a vertical rail of theschool bus to allow for selective movement and locking of the movablewindow panel along the side frame members 20, such as in any mannergenerally known in the school bus window art. The locking devices 28 maybe bonded or adhered or otherwise secured to the interior surface of themovable window panel 14, such as at the upper corners of the movablewindow panel 14, and may be located within the region covered orconcealed by the frit layer 19 (as can be seen in FIG. 5). Windowassembly 10 may also include an exterior “broom cup” or closure assistelement 30, which may be bonded or adhered to the exterior surface ofthe movable window panel 14, such as at a generally upper perimeterregion of the movable window panel 14.

The panels may be bonded to the perimeter frame, and the latchingdevices and/or seals and other components may be bonded to the windowpanels, such as via curing of a bonding or an adhesive material andutilizing bonding processes of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,298,606; 6,128,860; 5,966,874; 5,704,173; and 5,551,197, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Forexample, the fixed window panel may be bonded to the lower portion ofthe perimeter frame by an adhesive, such as a urethane adhesive,including a one part or two part urethane adhesive, an epoxy adhesive,an acrylic adhesive, a polyvinylbutyral adhesive, a silicone adhesive,or the like. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,364,214; 4,364,595;6,299,255; and 6,220,650, which are incorporated by reference in theirentireties, for examples of suitable adhesives. Optionally, anddesirably, the frit layer at the window panel and/or perimeter panel maybe substantially opaque (such as a dark color or black) and, therefore,provides a concealing function and may further facilitate the adhesionor bonding of the fixed panels to the perimeter frame.

As shown in FIG. 8, upper frame member 22 may be bonded or adhered(and/or screwed or otherwise fastened), such as via an adhesive layer 25a or butyl bead or the like, to the sheet metal 32 of school bus 11,such as to a generally planar lip 32 a of the sheet metal, which isbelow and near the drip rail or header 11 c of the school bus. The upperframe member 22 defines a receiving channel 22 a therealong forreceiving an upper perimeter edge 14 a of movable window panel 14therein when movable window panel 14 is closed. A flexible and/orcompressible seal 34 is positioned along the receiving channel 22 a tosubstantially seal against the upper perimeter edge 14 a of movablewindow panel 14 when the movable window panel 14 is partially or fullyclosed or raised, such as shown in FIG. 8. As also shown in FIG. 8,upper frame member 22 may have the upper portion 18 a of the perimeterframe or panel molded with or as part of the upper frame member, so asto provide a unitary frame and perimeter panel along the upper portionof the window assembly or module. Optionally, the upper frame member mayhave a substantially planar exterior surface at which the upper portionof the perimeter panel or frame may be bonded or otherwise attached,such as can be seen with reference to FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 9, the lower frame member 24 is bonded or adhered (suchas via adhesive layer 25 a) or otherwise fastened or attached to thesheet metal 32 of school bus 11, such as at or over or on a flange orlip of the rub rail 11 d of the school bus 11. The fixed window panel 12is bonded or adhered to an outer surface 24 a of the lower frame member24, which may include a lower perimeter lip 24 b along the lowerperimeter edge 12 b of the fixed window panel 12. The lower frame member24 may include a channel or receiving portion 24 c at an inner orinterior side of the frame member for receiving a lower perimeter edge14 b of movable window panel 14 when the movable window panel is fullyopened or lowered. Optionally, the window assembly may include anothertype of stop element that limits downward movement of the movable windowpanel so that the movable window panel does not fully lower to thereceiving portion 24 c of lower frame member 24.

As shown in FIG. 11, the side frame members 20 may be bonded or adhered(such as via adhesive layer 25 a) or otherwise fastened to the sheetmetal or frame 32 of the school bus, such as to or at the bow caps 11 bof the school bus 11. The side frame members 20 include channel portions20 a for slidably receiving the side perimeter edges 14 c of movablewindow panel 14 therein. The channel portions 20 a may include a slidingseal portion or strip or member 36 therealong to substantially sealagainst the edges 14 c of movable window panel 14. As shown in FIG. 11,the side frame members 20 may have the side perimeter rail or perimeterpanel portion 18 b of the perimeter frame or panel formed or molded aspart of the side frame members at an upper portion of the side framemembers (or alternately, the side frame members may have an exteriorsurface for bonding or attaching the side perimeter panels or portionsof the perimeter panel thereat), while the lower portion (such as shownin FIG. 12) of the side frame members may have an outer or exteriorsurface at which the fixed window panel may be bonded or adhered orotherwise attached.

For example, and as shown in FIG. 12, the side frame members 20 may havean outer surface 20 b for receiving and bonding the side perimeter edges12 c of fixed window panel 12 (such as fixed laminated glass or thelike) thereto. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 12, the side framemember 20 includes a stud 25 b for securing the side frame member to thebow cap 11 b of the school bus 11. Although not shown in FIGS. 11 and12, the side frame members 20 may have an outer surface along the upperportions and along which the perimeter frame panel 18 is bonded orattached. Also, at a lower or bottom portion of the side frame members20, the side frame members may not include the channel for the movablewindow, depending on the range of travel of the movable window along theside frame members.

The seals along the channels of the perimeter frame may comprisegenerally U-shaped seals or double-L seals, Y seals, V seals, C-shapedseals, bulbous seals, or other different shaped-seals, and preferablycomprise a polypropylene material (PPE) or EPDM. Examples of suitableseals and seal materials can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,220,650;6,299,235; 6,394,529; 6,572,176; and 6,729,674, which are incorporatedby reference herein in their entireties. The seals may comprise a “rope”type seal that may be positioned along each of the upper and sidechannels, and may comprise a continuous seal along the three channels,whereby the seal may substantially seal against the side and upperperimeter edges of the movable window panel when the movable windowpanel is received in the channels of the frame members.

The sliding seal 26 at the fixed window panel may comprise an extrudedEPDM material or the like, and may be adhered to the inner surfaces ofthe fixed panels, such as via a pressure sensitive tape or the like. Theseal may provide a generally horizontal seal across the upper portion ofthe fixed window panel and at the opening of the window assembly to sealagainst the movable window panel. The sliding seal may comprise Y-shapedseals or bulbous seals or one or more of the various other shaped sealsnoted above, without affecting the scope of the present invention.Reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/113,056, filedApr. 1, 2002, entitled HORIZONTAL SLIDER WINDOW ASSEMBLY, by Nestell etal., now U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,916, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Alternately, as described in the referencedpending application, the seal or seals may be injection molded, such as,for example, from SANTOPRENE® brand polymeric material available fromMonsanto Corporation, or formed from other materials, including EPDM andthermoplastic elastomers.

Because the perimeter frame of the window module or assembly can beadhered to or bonded to the exterior surface of the school bus, thewindow module or assembly can be installed at the sheet metal or frameof the school bus from outside the school bus, and without the use offasteners and the like being secured at the interior of the school bus.For example, and as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, 11 and 12,the window module or assembly may be adhered to the sheet metal 32 ofthe school bus without the need for additional trim elements at theexterior of the school bus and without having to engage an inner surfaceor inwardly facing surface of the sheet metal or frame of the schoolbus. The upper frame portion is adhered to the vehicle sheet metal andgenerally beneath the drip rail, while the lower frame portion isadhered to the vehicle sheet metal and generally above the rub rail ofthe school bus. The side frame portions are adhered to the sheet metaland generally at the bows/bow caps of the school bus. Although the siderails do not appear in FIGS. 11 and 12 to provide a flush outer surfacewith the vehicle sheet metal a the bows/bow caps, it is important tonote that when multiple window assemblies or modules are mounted alongthe side of the vehicle or school bus, the side rails of adjacent windowmodules will be adjacent to one another and may abut one another so asto provide a substantially flush exterior surface of the windowassemblies or modules that is substantially flush with the vehicle sheetmetal above and below the window assemblies or modules. Also, although afastener is shown in FIG. 12, such a fastener may not be required tosecure the window assembly or module at the side of the school bus, orthe fastener may be selected to be of a type that does not require afemale fastener to be threaded thereon from the inside of the vehicle orschool bus, so that the window assemblies or modules may be installed atthe side of the school bus from outside of the school bus.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-12, window assembly or module10 is configured as a split sash window with a vertically movable windowpanel, and with the perimeter panel or appliqué located above the fixedwindow panel of the window assembly or module. However, aspects of thewindow assembly or module of the present invention may be equally suitedfor other applications, such as a horizontally movable window panel(such as typically used as a driver's window) or a fixed sash typewindow panel or the like.

For example, and as shown in FIGS. 13-15, a window assembly or module10′ includes a fixed window panel 12′ and a perimeter frame 16′ that isattachable to the sheet metal of a school bus (and preferably from theoutside of the school bus), such as via an adhesive layer 25 a′ and/orstuds or fasteners 25 b′. The perimeter frame or ring 16′ issubstantially similar for each frame portion or member, and may includea perimeter lip 16 a′ protruding outwardly along the perimeter of thefixed window panel 12′. Because the perimeter frame 16′ is substantiallysimilar in each view, a detailed discussion is not needed for each ofthe side frame members (FIG. 13), upper frame member (FIG. 14) and lowerframe member (FIG. 15) of the perimeter frame 16′. Similar to the windowassemblies or modules 10 described above, the window assemblies ormodules 10′ may be mounted to the sheet metal or frame of the vehiclefrom outside the school bus and may provide a substantially or generallyflush appearance of the window assemblies or modules along the side ofthe school bus.

Optionally, a window assembly of the present invention may comprise asplit sash window assembly (such as similar to window assembly 10described above), and may be hinged so that the window panels may pivotabout a hinge, such as a generally horizontal hinge or a generallyvertical hinge. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 16, 18 and 19,a window assembly 110 may be mounted or attached to a school bus and mayinclude a mounting or base perimeter frame 115 and a window receiving orpivotable perimeter frame 116. As can be seen in FIGS. 18 and 19, baseperimeter frame 115 may be bonded or adhered (such as via an adhesivelayer or bead 125 a or the like) or otherwise fastened to the sheetmetal of the school bus, such as in a similar manner as perimeter frame16 described above, while pivotable perimeter frame 116 is pivotally orhingedly attached to the base perimeter frame 115 via a hinge or pivotdevice 117 (FIG. 18). The window assembly 110 includes a handle orgrasping element or releasing element 119 for releasing a latch at theframe portions opposite the hinge 117 to allow the pivotable perimeterframe 116 to pivot relative to base perimeter frame 115 about the pivotaxis of the hinge 117.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 16, 18 and 19, the pivotableperimeter frame 116 is pivotally attached to base perimeter frame 115via an upper, generally horizontal hinge 117 at or partially along theupper frame portion 115 a, and is pivotable via movement of a lowerhandle 119 at or partially along the lower frame portion 115 c.Alternately, and as shown in FIGS. 17 and 20, the pivotable perimeterframe 116′ of the window assembly 110′ may be pivotally attached to thebase perimeter frame 115′ via a side hinge (not shown) and may bereleased and latched via a side handle or latch 119′. The sectional viewof the window assembly 110′ in FIG. 20 includes the handle 119′ for aside hinge window assembly or module, but may be otherwise substantiallysimilar to a sectional view through the side frame of window assembly110 (except that the upper hinged window assembly 110 would not includesuch a handle 119′). The handles 119, 119′ may function to engage andrelease a latching element 119 a, 119 a′, that extends from the baseperimeter frame 115, 115′ at the lower region of the window assembly orthe side region of the window assembly, respectively.

As can be seen in FIGS. 18-20, the base perimeter frame 115 may includea compressible or flexible seal or sealing member 126 (such as a Y-typeseal or the like) for sealing against the pivotable perimeter frame 116when the pivotable perimeter frame 116 is closed against the baseperimeter frame 115. The pivotable perimeter frame 116 may have asimilar outer or exterior surface as that of perimeter frame 16described above, and may have the upper perimeter panel or frame portion118 a and side perimeter panel or frame portion 118 b molded thereon,while the fixed window panel 112 is bonded or attached to the exteriorsurface of the pivotable perimeter frame 116 at the regions below theperimeter panel portion 118, such as in a similar manner as describedabove. The pivotable perimeter frame 116 may include a seal 134 at upperframe portion 116 a for engaging and sealing against an upper edge orportion of the movable window panel 114 when the movable window panel114 is closed, and may include a sliding seal 136 along side frameportions 116 b for slidably engaging the movable window panel 114 as themovable window panel 114 is moved between its open and closed positions.The pivotable perimeter frame 116, 116′, seals 134, 136, movable windowpanel 114 and fixed window panel 112 may be substantially similar to thecorresponding components or elements of the window panel 10 describedabove, such that a detailed discussion of the window assemblies will notbe repeated herein.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 21-26, a window assembly 210 fora school bus 11 may include one or more horizontally sliding movablewindow panels 214 a, 214 b that are slidable or movable along an upperperimeter frame portion 220 and a lower perimeter frame portion 221 andbetween opposite side perimeter frame portions 222. The perimeter frameportions 220, 221, 222 each include a pair of channels 220 a, 221 a, 222a for receiving a sealing member 224 therein for sealing against theperimeter edges of the window panels 214 a, 214 b. Optionally, and asshown in FIG. 23, the channels 220 a of upper frame portion 220 mayinclude filler strips 224 a to facilitate removal of the window panels214 a, 214 b from the perimeter frame of the window assembly, asdesired.

The perimeter frame portions 220, 221, 222 of window assembly 210 mayalso include an outer or exterior trim flange 220 b, 221 b, 222 b, whichmay overlap the sheet metal 211 of the school bus at the outer perimeterof the window assembly to facilitate bonding or adhering or otherwiseattaching or fastening (such as via a bead or layer of adhesive 225 aand/or a fastener 225 b) the perimeter frame portions 220, 221, 222 tothe school bus from outside the school bus. The window assembly 210 andperimeter frame portions 220, 221, 222 and window panels and seals maybe otherwise substantially similar to the window assembly 10 andcorresponding components or elements described above, such that adetailed discussion of the window assemblies will not be repeatedherein. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, a handle or grasping element 228may be provided at the interior surface of the opposite edge portions ofthe movable window panels 214 a, 214 b to facilitate opening or slidingof the movable window panels 214 a, 214 b by a person from inside theschool bus. Although not shown in FIGS. 21-26, one of the movable windowpanels 214 a, 214 b may have a sliding seal bonded or adhered to itssurface for slidably engaging the opposed surface of the other movablewindow panel as the movable window panels are moved along the perimeterframe members, such as in a similar manner as described above withrespect to sliding seal 26.

Although shown and described as a window assembly or module or windowassemblies or modules for installation from the exterior of a schoolbus, aspects of the present invention may be suited for windowassemblies that are installed or attached to the school bus from theinterior of the school bus. For example, and with reference to FIGS.27-30, a window assembly 310 for a school bus may include a fixed windowpanel 312 and a vertically sliding movable window panel 314 that isslidable or movable along side frame members 320 of a perimeter frame316. The perimeter frame 316 includes an upper perimeter frame member322 and a lower perimeter frame member 324. As can be seen withreference to FIGS. 28-30, window assembly 310 is attached to the schoolbus 311 from inside the school bus and is secured to the inside orinteriorly facing surfaces of the sheet metal 334 and/or interior trim335 of school bus 311. As shown in FIG. 29, fixed window panel 312 ispositioned interiorly of movable window panel 314.

The perimeter frame 316 includes a surface or recess 316 a fromreceiving a layer or bead of adhesive 325 therealong, whereby theperimeter frame 316 may be pressed against the interior surface of thesheet metal 334 and/or interior trim 335 of the school bus to attach theperimeter frame to the school bus (optionally fasteners or the like mayalso or otherwise be used to attach the perimeter frame to the schoolbus). As shown in FIG. 28, upper frame member 322 is attached at aninterior side of the school bus and interiorly of the header or driprail 311 c of the school bus 311, while lower frame member 324 (FIG. 29)is attached at an interior side of the school bus and interiorly of alip or flange of the rub rail 311 d of the school bus 311. The sidechannels 320 (FIG. 30) are attached to the interior side of the schoolbus and interiorly of the bow cap 311 b and generally adjacent to thevertical pillar or bow 311 a of the school bus 311.

As shown in FIG. 28, upper perimeter frame member 322 includes a channelor track 322 a for receiving an upper perimeter edge region 314 a ofmovable window panel 314 when movable window panel 314 is substantiallyor completely closed. Although not shown in FIG. 28, the channel 322 amay receive a sealing member or element (such as a flexible orcompressible seal) to engage and substantially seal against the upperperimeter edge 314 a of movable window panel 314 when the movable windowpanel is moved upwardly into the channel to close the window.

Similarly, and as shown in FIG. 30, side perimeter frame members 320also include a channel or track 320 a for slidably receiving the sideperimeter edges 314 c of movable window panel 314. Also, the channels320 a include a sliding seal or sealing member (not shown in FIG. 30)for substantially sealing against the side perimeter edges 314 c ofmovable window panel 314. The side perimeter frame members 320 mayinclude an interiorly facing surface 320 b at which the fixed windowpanel 312 (not shown in FIG. 30) may be adhered or bonded or attached.In the illustrated embodiment, the interiorly facing surface 320 bincludes raised ribs or protrusions that define an adhesive receivingchannel or track 320 c for receiving a layer or bead of adhesivetherealong for adhering to the exterior surface of the side perimeterregions of the fixed window panel 312. The side perimeter frame member320 may also include a lip 320 d that may extend partially along theside frame member and may provide a lip or flange along the sideperimeter edge of the fixed window panel when the fixed window panel isadhered or attached to the surface 320 b that also extends partiallyalong the side perimeter frame member 320.

As shown in FIG. 29, lower perimeter frame member 324 includes aninterior surface 324 a at which the exterior surface of the lowerperimeter edge region 312 a of fixed window panel 312 may be bonded oradhered or attached. The lower perimeter frame member 324 also includesa lip or flange 324 b that extends along the surface 324 a and generallyalong and adjacent to the lower perimeter edge of the fixed window panel312 when the fixed window panel is attached to the lower perimeter framemember 324. Lower perimeter frame member 324 includes an upper and outersurface 324 c that is exterior of the fixed window panel 312 and thatprovides a sloped surface for water drainage and the like from thewindow assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface 324 cextends over the sheet metal and upper flange of the rub rail 311 d ofthe school bus 311 to limit or substantially preclude water intrusioninto the wall of the school bus at the lower portion of the windowassembly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower perimeter edge region 314 b ofthe movable window panel 314 includes a cover element or trim element314 d, which may be bonded or adhered along the lower perimeter edge ofthe window panel. The cover element 314 d provides a finished appearanceto the lower perimeter of the exterior movable window panel 314.Similarly, the fixed window panel 312 may include a cover element ortrim element (not shown) at the upper perimeter edge region of the fixedwindow panel. The fixed window panel 312 also may include a sliding sealor sealing member (not shown in FIGS. 27-30, but may be similar to thesliding seal 26 described above) bonded or adhered to its exteriorsurface for engaging the interior surface of the movable window panel314. Optionally, the perimeter frame 316 may include a cross framemember (not shown) extending across the window assembly and between theside perimeter frame members 320 and generally along the upper perimeteredge region of the fixed window panel, whereby the cross frame membermay include a sliding seal for engaging the interior surface of themovable window panel.

Referring now to FIGS. 31-35, a driver's window assembly 410 for aschool bus (such as at the driver side of the school bus and adjacent tothe driver seat of the school bus) may include a perimeter frame 416 andone or more horizontally sliding movable window panels 414 a, 414 b thatare slidable or movable along an upper perimeter frame member 420 and alower perimeter frame member 421 and between opposite side perimeterframe members 422, such as similar to window assembly 210 discussedabove. The perimeter frame 416 may comprise extruded perimeter framemembers, such as extruded aluminum frame members or the like, which maybe fastened or welded or otherwise joined at the comers of the perimeterframe 416 to define the generally rectangular frame of the windowassembly 410. The perimeter frame 416 may be configured to be attachedto the side of a school bus via adhesive and/or fasteners or the like,and may be attached from the exterior of the school bus.

As shown in FIGS. 33-35, the perimeter frame members or channel members420, 421, 422 each include a pair of channels 420 a, 421 a, 422 a forreceiving a sealing member (not shown) therein for sealing against theperimeter edges of the window panels 414 a, 414 b (such as movable stormglass panels or the like). The upper perimeter frame member 420 ofwindow assembly 410 may also include an outer or exterior trim flange420 b, which may overlap the sheet metal of the school bus at the outerand upper perimeter of the window assembly (such as below the header ordrip rail of the school bus) to facilitate bonding or adhering orotherwise attaching or fastening (such as via a bead or layer ofadhesive and/or a plurality of fasteners, which may be inserted orscrewed through fastener openings 420 c) the perimeter frame member 420to the school bus from outside the school bus. The other perimeter frameportions 421, 422 may also include an outer or exterior trim surface 421b, 422 b to provide a finished exterior surface of the perimeter frameat the exterior of the school bus when the window assembly is attachedto the school bus. The window assembly 410 and perimeter frame portions420, 421, 422 and window panels 414 a, 414 b and seals may be otherwisesubstantially similar to the window assemblies and correspondingcomponents or elements described above, such that a detailed discussionof the window assemblies will not be repeated herein.

Therefore, the present invention provides a window assembly or multiplewindow assemblies for installation at or attachment to the sides of aschool bus. The window assemblies are modular window assemblies that maybe readily attached to the school bus, and preferably from the outsideof the school bus. The modular window assemblies of the presentinvention thus may be readily adhered or fastened or attached to thesheet metal of the school bus and between the vertical pillars or bowsand bow caps of the school bus. When attached to the side of the schoolbus, the window assemblies provide a substantially flush exteriorsurface along the side of the school bus and, thus, provide an enhancedappearance to the school bus.

Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. A window module for a transit vehicle, said window module comprising:a frame configured to mount to a transit vehicle; a fixed window panelhaving an interior surface and an exterior surface, said fixed windowpanel being affixed to a portion of said frame; a perimeter panel havingan interior surface and an exterior surface, said perimeter panel beingsecured to another portion of said frame, said perimeter panelcomprising perimeter portions that cooperate to define an opening atsaid other portion of said frame; a movable window panel having aninterior surface and an exterior surface; said frame comprising a pairof channel members for movably receiving said movable window panel, saidmovable window panel being slidably positioned at said frame such that afirst perimeter edge of said movable window panel is slidably engagedwith one of said channel members and a second perimeter edge of saidmovable window panel is slidably engaged with the other of said channelmembers; said movable window panel being movable along said channelmembers and interiorly of said fixed window panel when opened andinteriorly of and generally at said perimeter panel when at leastpartially closed; and wherein said exterior surfaces of said fixedwindow panel and of said perimeter panel form a generally flush exteriorsurface at an exterior of the transit vehicle when said window assemblyis installed at the transit vehicle.
 2. The window module of claim 1further comprising a resilient seal along said channel members to reduceleakage between said movable window panel and said frame.
 3. The windowmodule of claim 2 further comprising a resilient sliding seal that issecured to said interior surface of said fixed window panel and at aperimeter region of said fixed window panel that is at or near saidopening defined by said perimeter panel, said resilient sliding sealslidably engaging said exterior surface of said movable window panel assaid movable window panel is opened and closed.
 4. The window module ofclaim 1, wherein said window module is pivotally mounted to a fixedframe that is configured to be fixedly attached to a transit vehicle. 5.The window module of claim 1, wherein said window assembly is configuredto be installed at the exterior sheet metal of a school bus and from alocation outside of the school bus.
 6. The window module of claim 1,wherein said channels are generally vertically oriented when said windowmodule is installed at the transit vehicle.
 7. The window module ofclaim 1, wherein said channels are generally horizontally oriented whensaid window module is installed at the transit vehicle.
 8. The windowmodule of claim 7, wherein said window module includes two movablewindow panels that are slidably movable along said frame.
 9. The windowmodule of claim 1, wherein said frame is configured to be adhesivelymounted to the transit vehicle.
 10. The window module of claim 1,wherein said perimeter panel comprises an upper portion, a lower portionand opposite side portions that cooperate to define said opening at saidother portion of said frame.
 11. A method of installing a window moduleat a transit vehicle, said method comprising: providing a window modulecomprising a frame, a fixed window panel having an interior surface andan exterior surface, a perimeter panel having an interior surface and anexterior surface, and a movable window panel having an interior surfaceand an exterior surface, said fixed window panel being affixed to aportion of said frame, said perimeter panel being secured to anotherportion of said frame, said perimeter panel comprising perimeterportions that cooperate to define an opening at said other portion ofsaid frame, said movable window panel being slidably positioned at saidframe such that a first perimeter edge of said movable window panel isslidably engaged with a first channel member of said frame and a secondperimeter edge of said movable window panel is slidably engaged with asecond channel member of said frame, said movable window panel beingmovable along said channel members and interiorly of said fixed windowpanel when opened and interiorly of and generally at said perimeterpanel when at least partially closed; attaching said window module to asheet metal frame of the transit vehicle from outside of the transitvehicle, said window module engaging and attaching to an exteriorsurface of the sheet metal frame of the transit vehicle when attachedfrom the outside of the vehicle; and wherein said exterior surfaces ofsaid fixed window panel and of said perimeter panel form a generallyflush exterior surface at an exterior of the transit vehicle when saidwindow assembly is attached at the exterior surface of the sheet metalframe of the transit vehicle.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinattaching said window module to a sheet metal frame of the vehicle fromoutside of the vehicle comprises attaching said window module to a sheetmetal frame of a school bus from outside of the school bus.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein providing a window module comprisesproviding a plurality of window modules, and wherein attaching saidwindow module comprises attaching said plurality of window modules to asheet metal frame along a side of the vehicle from outside of thevehicle.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein attaching said windowmodule to a sheet metal frame of the vehicle from outside of the transitvehicle comprises adhesively attaching said window module to a sheetmetal frame of the transit vehicle from outside of the vehicle.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein providing a window module comprisesproviding a window module having a resilient seal along said channelmembers to reduce leakage between said movable window panel and saidframe.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein providing a window modulecomprises providing a window module having a resilient sliding sealsecured to said interior surface of said fixed window panel and at aperimeter region of said fixed window panel that is at or near saidopening defined by said perimeter panel, said resilient sliding sealslidably engaging said exterior surface of said movable window panel assaid movable window panel is opened and closed.
 17. The method of claim11, wherein said channels are generally vertically oriented when saidwindow module is installed at the vehicle.
 18. The method of claim 11,wherein said channels are generally horizontally oriented when saidwindow module is installed at the vehicle.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein providing a window module comprises providing a window modulehaving said frame pivotally mounted at a fixed frame, and whereinattaching said window module to a sheet metal frame of the transitvehicle comprises attaching said fixed frame of said window module to asheet metal frame of the transit vehicle.
 20. The method of claim 11,wherein said perimeter panel comprises an upper portion, a lower portionand opposite side portions that cooperate to define said opening at saidother portion of said frame.